Heritage2health

Heritage2health is a coordinated approach to shared learning and understanding between health, social care, the creative industries, heritage and countryside sector. It seeks to bring these rich and diverse sectors together to develop shared solutions to empowering and improving wellbeing and participation of vulnerable groups.

Heritage2health's focus is to work with people who consider themselves to be excluded due to age, disability, the demands of caring and those who are socially isolated. This includes people of all ages living with long term health condition e.g. HIV, heart disease, those who have been disabled due to brain or physical injury, those with mental health issues, and those with learning disabilities. Carers and those who are isolated due to social status e.g assylum seekers, lone parents or refugees.

Students and staff in health, social care and the arts link with local people of all ages and abilities, to jointly plan and host team challenge events in heritage spaces. Participants are invited to take part in events through a trusted source e.g. community nurse, therapist , local voluntary organisation. The historic and open space is used as a creative place to enable participants to design and host a shared challenge; creative, historic, physical and social. These events provide benefits for all involved;

therapeutic and motivational experiences – building resilience through facing a challenge

an opportunity for shared learning between generations and cultures

support for new community networks and projects.

Following events participants are linked to further community, educational or volunteering opportunities, if they wish.

h2h started in 2005. The project developed from an initiative into wellbeing and health that was partnered with WestFocus Health Network, the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, Kingston University and St George’s University. The first pilot project helped a group of 90 mixed-ability people to climb Glastonbury Tor.